Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Adult Attachment Patterns, Ethnic Experience, And Social Competence; Comparing African American And Caucasian College Students, Melissa Robin

HIM 1990-2015

The purpose of this thesis was to examine adult attachment patterns and ethnic experience and the relationship on social competence. There are limited studies that have examined the differences among racially and ethnically diverse populations. A total of 60 university undergraduate students completed the Relationship Questionnaire, Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire, Measure of Adolescent Hetersocial Competence, and the Scale of Ethnic Experience. Results showed that some differences existed between the two groups in terms of attachment patterns. Ethnic identity was related to social competence with both groups. It is suggested that ethnic experience may be useful for studying social competence.